Keith ready to sail off to retirement after 29 years at XYZ

With over 29 years’ service and as one of XYZ Machine Tools earliest employees, Keith Stowe is about to head off into retirement from his role as service engineer. Like most of us he has a list of jobs to do around the house, but he also hopes to be able to spend time on the golf course as well as buying a boat to go fishing.

Having worked all his life in machine tools starting out as an apprentice at Torrington Machine Tools in Warwick, then spending time working in the USA before returning to Devon and a service role with Hardinge, where he first met up with XYZ Managing Director Nigel Atherton in 1988. “I was struck by the enthusiasm and dynamic approach that Nigel, as a young man had for his business, coming from a world where all the bosses seemed ready for retirement, it was a refreshing change and it took me no time at all to decide to join a company that was obviously going places,” says Keith.

Keith’s initial role involved fitting digital readouts, machine installation and service and the job developed along with the business with him soon becoming totally focussed on providing the first class level of service that XYZ’s customers are accustomed to. Keith adds: “In those early days we could be building machines one day and out in the field installing or servicing machines the next, they were interesting times and that can do attitude has remained throughout my time at XYZ Machine Tools.”

With Keith’s retirement customers have no need to worry as XYZ has invested in its service team and has recruited more ‘young blood’ to the team to ensure that its reputation for rapid and efficient response to service requests continue to be met. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Keith for all these years and while we are sorry to see him go, we have memories of some exciting times as the business has grown and everyone at XYZ wishes him well for the future,” says Nigel Atherton, Managing Director, XYZ Machine Tools.